THE A. M. PRATT FAMILY

Albert Maurice Pratt came to Canada in the spring of 1921 shortly after his discharge from the British Army of the Rhine. Before the First World War, he had taught in elementary, private, and
public secondary schools in England. Prior to his commission to the Norfolk Regiment he had been for seven years on the staff of Palmer’s School, Grays, Essex - a school endowed during the reign of Queen Anne. At this school, after studying in France and Germany, he became Senior Modern Language Master. During the war he was seconded to the Machine Gun Corps, serving in France, Belgium and Germany. He was decorated with the Military Cross and Bar, was mentioned in Despatches, and was discharged with the rank of Major. Shortly after his arrival in Canada, he was appointed principal of Russell School.

In July, 1922, he married Ethel Winnifred Roberts, the daughter and granddaughter of pioneers of the Russell district. Her father, Leonard Littlewood Roberts, the son of a physician in Sheffield, England, had homesteaded in 1882 on 30-21-28 - the site later of the Dr. Barnardo’s Home. Her mother, Agnes Mckay Kinnaird, had accompanied her father, David Kinnaird, who came to Manitoba in 1880. On the same boat was the family of James Lawther, and a shipboard romance led to the marriage of Miss Kinnaird and Mr. Lawthers son, James (Mrs. Kippan records this wedding on Christmas Day, 1882, as the first in the Russell district). After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Lawther married Mr. L. L. Roberts. Ethel Winnifred was their youngest daughter (see Roberts Family).

Four children were born at Russell to Mr. and Mrs. A. M Pratt, two sons and two daughters. All four subsequently graduated at the University of Mantoba

Winona (Mrs. Keith Long) saw three years service and gained her commission as lieutenant with the CWAC in World War II. At the University she took her BA and her Diploma in Education and subsequently taught at Polson School East St. Paul Collegiate and Nelson McIntyre Collegiate in Norwood specializing in English French and Latin. In July, 1958 she married Mr. Keith Long who had been a fellow student with her at the University. Mr. Long a veteran of World War II is at present Superintendent of the Agassiz School Division. Mr. and Mrs. Long have four children, Andrea, Ross, Rex, and Laird.
Ken Pratt, the elder son, saw service in World War II before graduating in Architecture at the University of Manitoba. Whilst a student he married Bernice Cockle of Winnipeg. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ken Pratt - Cynthia, Derek, Shanna, Kathy, and Michael  Ken is now a member of the architectural firm, Pratt, Lindgren, Snider, Tomcej and Associate. It is interesting to note that Ken’s firm were the architects of the Collegiate at Russell which is named in honour of his father. His great-grandfather, David Kinnaird, was the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the first Russell School.
Lee Pratt, the younger son, graduated with his B.Sc. in Agriculture and then obtained his M.Sc. He married Anne Isliefson, the daughter of pioneers of the Glenwood district. They have four children, Deborah, Jim, Tinuny, and Tannis. Lee was employed in the Soils Survey of the Federal Department of Agriculture. He was appointed Agricultural Coordinator under ARDA (Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Act). Later he became Chief of the Canada
Land Inventory. In 1955 he was appointed Director of Rural Development for Western Canada with headquarters at Regina.
Daphne Pratt (Mrs. Bruce Rathbone), the youngest daughter, obtained her B.A. and B. Paed at the University of Manitoba. After several years of teaching she married the Rev. B. A. Rathbone
whom she had met whilst studying at St. Johns College. Mr. and Mrs. Rathbone have three sons, Andrew, David, and Edward, and a daughter, Susan.   After his marriage the Rev. B. A. Rathbone spent five years as a Chaplain in the RCAF stationed at Senneterre, P.Q. and Chatham, NB. He is at present Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. Mr.and Mrs. Rathbone have recently adopted a little daughter, Susan Elizabeth.

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